Indian Council of World Affairs

Distinguished Experts, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Students, and Friends!

Welcome to the ICWA Panel Discussion on ‘Civilizational State and the Remaking of Global Order: India’s Strategic Identity in Global Politics’. Avid scholars of Political Science, International Relations and History would have sensed that off late a narrative surrounding ‘Civilizational States’ has been in the making. There are discussions and writings about what constitutes a ‘Civilizational State’, how do you brand different States as such, does this branding come in conflict with the understanding of the Global Order as it stands today or is it actually in harmony with the Global Order as it evolves amidst the geopolitical churn, will such a narrative shift thinking towards overcoming the perils of geopolitics, what role should India assume in contemporary and shifting geopolitics as the Grandmother of Civilization and the Great Grandmother of Tradition, what Mark Twain once meant to say. It is to have a grip on some of these budding thoughts that we curated today’s panel discussion.

One thing is for sure – the idea of India as a ‘Civilizational State’ is not merely a theoretical concept - for India is one of the world’s oldest living civilizations. Looking at India just as a post-colonial democratic Republic severely constrains the world’s view of it. Indian civilization has evolved over millennia of spiritual thought, plural traditions and cultural resilience. Every onslaught of time has meant growing maturity; every celebration of time has meant quiet confidence. The sheer diversity of India’s experiences – the good, the bad, the ugly, and its innate strength to learn from these – has provided a strong foundation for survival amidst turmoil, foreign loot, plunder, invasion and strife. The nation’s experiences are embodied in its people, the manner in which they speak, talk, sing, dance, celebrate, mourn, feel, behave and think. And as the turn of the millennium shows, India is more than just surviving, it is thriving, growing, rising and preparing for global leadership.

Based on the Westphalian model of nation-state, today’s international order is unable to capture the essence of nations and countries like India whose legitimacy is derived not just from law and institutions, but also from civilizational memory, cultural continuity, and moral authority. The narrative on ‘Civilizational States’ is therefore taking a new birth amidst the crisis of the western liberal order, the collapse of the soviet order and the stubborn remnants of the communist order of the last century. I do not have to say this, but this is well understood, that India is a natural leader among ‘Civilizational States’. Nobody has to confer this role upon us; we are endowed with this role by our history, character, philosophy and, above all, by destiny.

India has already shaped the international order in quiet but meaningful ways. Our freedom struggle became a leading light for other countries under colonial oppression. Tagore’s and Swami Vivekanand’s internationalism reflected our inclusive and expansive vision. Non-alignment pioneered autonomy and dignity outside of rigid and contesting power blocs. Through the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) - we brought a civilizational ethic into operative diplomacy. The pluralism of our democracy reflected our cultural diversity and has provided a living model for others. In giving voice to the Global South, we have challenged entrenched hierarchies while walking our talk with quiet confidence through nurturing development, security and cultural partnerships. We are living proof of multi-culturalism and secularism in operation.

These contributions of India are not isolated acts but flow from deeper ethical traditions. The Dharmic vision of Sarvodaya, (the welfare of all or literally translated as ‘a dawn everywhere’) offers a universal ideal for governance. The Bhagavad Gita reminds us that dharma (code of conduct) is not only about rights but also about obligations - to oneself, to others, to nature, and to the cosmic order. At the end of the day, we have to learn to be more giving than seeking, more sharing than selfish. And in the concept of Loka-Saṅgraha – ‘the holding together of the world and its peoples’ (Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 3, Karma Yoga), India articulates a vision of responsibility that transcends self-interest. These principles remain profoundly relevant in addressing today’s crises of global governance, conflict, and human insecurity.

From this foundation flows India’s pluralist diplomacy. As the mother of democracy, India projects democratic values as soft power, while pragmatically engaging with non-democratic states as needed. Our commitment to disarmament, rooted in Ahimsa (Non-Violence) and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, rejects discriminatory regimes while affirming universal restraint. We promote interfaith and inter-civilizational dialogue, fostering respect across traditions. The Panchsheel (Five Foundations/Principles) principles of coexistence sought to build relations on mutual respect and equality, even when tested by geopolitics. And at the heart of this vision lies Anekāntavāda - the Jain doctrine of manifold viewpoints - which teaches that truth is many-sided, and that diversity and disagreement are not threats but strengths.

This spirit also guides India’s environmental consciousness. In our worldview, nature is sacred, revered as mother and divine. Our reverence for rivers, mountains, trees reflects this recognition and association. Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) is an ethical principle that promotes sufficiency and contentment above greed. Gandhiji's trusteeship concept asserts that resources are kept in trust for society and future generations, creating a moral foundation for sustainability.

And the philosophy of Panch bhuta-the five elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space which make up the cosmic balance from within the human body to all of creation - reminds us that human life must remain in harmony with its environs or that the order that exists within and between the human body and all of creation needs to be harmoniously re-established. Together, these ideas offer a civilizational paradigm for human security, sustainability and responsible and stable progress.

This budding view of India as a ‘Civilizational State’ - this revival – is a rediscovery of India’s enduring self. For too long, India has been seen through colonial and post-colonial lenses - misread as weak or passive. Today, amidst the geopolitical churn, it is time to reclaim our story with the confidence of tradition, the openness of intellect, and the promise of ethical leadership.

This rediscovery of India’s civilizational identity that is underway is visible in the world’s engagement with us. At the time of freedom struggle, Pandit Nehru’s Discovery of India gave the world a vision of our heritage and modern aspirations. Today, works like William Dalrymple’s The Golden Road, García and Miralles’ Purusharth: The Four-Way Path (Purusharth means ‘the meaning of being human’) and many others are showing a renewed recognition of the universal relevance of India’s wisdom.

May I also add that this revival – this assertion - of India as a ‘Civilizational State’ is not for India’s good alone, which it surely is, but also for the global good. By emphasizing interdependence over hegemony, India offers a peaceful model of multipolarity. By showcasing pluralism, it provides lessons for managing diversity in divided societies and broken lives. By elevating ecological and spiritual traditions, it advances sustainability as a global as well as a very private ethic. This is a strategy that allows India to make clear to the rest of the world what its terms of engagement with the world are. This is India’s moment to lead - not loudly, but wisely; not by imitation, but by inspiration. India must be seen not only as a rising economy, a maturing polity but as a civilization awakening with clarity and purpose. The current geopolitical churn – the ‘manthan’ – does not only represent chaotic disorder on global scale, but also an opportunity to switch on the fog lights and search for ways individually and collectively to move towards stability, harmony, co-existence or, simply put, a better life.

At the end, I wish to say, that there have been many civilizations in the world with which the Indian civilization has co-existed over time. Like India, there are many other countries with a civilizational sense of existence. A nation’s collective sense of history and its contributions to international relations is an important determinant of its contemporary identity and future trajectories. Just as India is going through an awakening about itself and the world about India, other countries too need to go through a process of introspection and rediscovery.

With this I hand over the proceedings to the Chair. I look forward to thought-provoking and fruitful discussions. I wish the panelists all the  best.

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